asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, the Government have to mark the centenary celebrations for Charles Kickham, the Tipperary poet and patriot.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kickham Centenary Celebrations.
1.
A special commemorative postage stamp will be issued this summer to mark the centenary of the death of Charles Kickham.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that to commemorate this great Fenian poet/patriot, Charles Kickham, something more than a commemorative stamp is or would be desirable?
Perhaps Fine Gael could become a little bit more nationalistic.
There are other events taking place. Private interests have set up a special Kickham Centenary Committee in Mullinahone — no better place — to celebrate the event and the President will be unveiling a memorial in the Slieve na mBan Valley. I think the Deputy will agree that all these names I am mentioning have a beautiful Kickham ring about them.
While I appreciate the Taoiseach's concern for the people of Mullinahone, the celebrations as outlined by the Taoiseach were motivated locally. My question was specifically to the Taoiseach to enumerate the plans his Government have for centenary celebrations.
I think the best thing a Government can do on an occasion like this is bring out a commemorative stamp. That is a fairly significant commemorative thing to do — but if the Deputy would like to suggest anything else, the Government will consider it. We could all, I suppose, read his books again —The Homes of Tipperary, Knocknagow and all the rest of them; it might be a very good mental exercise for us all.
I thank the Taoiseach for his concern. I would suggest that he would encourage his Minister for Education to include some of Charles Kickham's writings in the school curricula at national and secondary school level.
I will certainly see what can be done about that.